Friday, April 20, 2007

Pucón is undoubtedly the biggest tourist attraction of southern Chile, and an excellent example of a city that has found great success by embracing ecotourism. For lovers of nature or adventure sports, Pucón has it all.

The small town of Pucón is on the shore of Lake Villarrica, with a view of Volcano Villarrica, an active volcano, looming over the city. These two features, along with thousands of acres of national parks are what make Villarrica a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. With such activities as boating, fishing, water-skiing, mountain climbing, backpacking, white-water rafting, kayaking, and hot springs, there is something for everybody in Pucón and its surrounding areas.

In the summer Pucón is a very crowded city, and the main beach on LakeVillarrica is full of people, but before January and after February the town is very peaceful, and the weather is still warm enough for most outdoor activities. There are several low cost hostels, as well as some higher priced cabins. Another option for budget travelers is to take a 15 minute bus ride to Villarrica, where slightly cheaper accommodations can be found.